Echoing the aspirations of millions of Malawians, the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) on Saturday 19th July, unveiled its manifesto for the 2025/2030 period, themed “Taking Development Forward.” Central to this ambitious framework is a resolute commitment to job creation, uniquely interwoven to foster an inclusive, middle-income economy in alignment with the Malawi 2063 Vision.
A Legacy of Success: Building on Past Achievements
The Chakwera administration has made significant strides since taking office in 2020, meeting its promise to create one million jobs. As of now, over 2.4 million formal jobs have been generated across various key sectors of the economy. Despite this progress, the MCP recognizes the persistent challenge of high unemployment rates, especially among the youth—a fact that underscores the need for an expansive, sustainable job creation strategy that will be the cornerstone of their future governance.
“To truly take development forward, we cannot overlook our most valuable resource: our people,” President Lazarus Chakwera emphasized during the manifesto unveiling. “The Jobs4Life initiative is not just about creating jobs; it’s about ensuring that every Malawian has the opportunity for dignified and meaningful work.”
Jobs4Life: A Framework for Sustainable Employment
The Jobs4Life concept signifies an unprecedented commitment to long-term, stable job creation by laying out actionable strategies that promote entrepreneurial engagement and investment. The Chakwera administration plans to foster deeper private sector involvement, utilizing national entities such as the Malawi Mining Company (MAMICO) and MDC Holdings to co-invest in strategic sectors, primarily mining and agro-processing.
By positioning job creation as a systemic and proactive measure rather than a reactive one, the MCP seeks to engender a vibrant workforce capable of supporting both local and national economic ambitions. The manifesto outlines a series of focus areas including education and skills development, infrastructure expansion, agricultural transformation, and continued support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and youth entrepreneurship.
Investing in Education: Building Human Capital for Tomorrow
A key pillar of the MCP’s strategy is its commitment to education and skills development, especially in vital sectors identified as primary drivers of economic transformation: Agriculture, Tourism, Mining, and Manufacturing (ATM+M). The administration aims to conduct a comprehensive audit of these sectors to forecast future human resource requirements and align educational programs accordingly. This ensures that today’s students are equipped with skills that are not only relevant to the current market but also adaptable to future economic needs.
“Investing in education is an investment in our future,” Chakwera remarked. “We need to ensure our youth are prepared to thrive in industries that will drive our economy forward.” This vision includes fostering partnerships between educational institutions and businesses to provide practical learning experiences, alongside promoting lifelong learning to keep pace with a rapidly changing job market.
Agriculture and Agro-Processing: Turning Harvests into Jobs
Given that over 70% of Malawi’s population relies on agriculture for their livelihood, transforming this sector into a commercial and value-adding venture is paramount for job creation. The administration’s commitment to supporting smallholder farmers through modern farming techniques, financial aid, and local processing initiatives aims to create millions of jobs in farming, manufacturing, and related services.
“By turning every farm into a business, we empower rural communities and create hubs of opportunity,” said Chakwera. “Our goal is to ensure that every harvest translates into jobs and wealth that remains in the communities.”
Specific policies targeting various aspects of agricultural development will create linkages across sectors such as logistics and trade, triggering a multiplier effect throughout the economy.
Infrastructure Development: The Engine for Employment
The MCP manifesto places a strong emphasis on infrastructure development as a vital catalyst for economic growth and job creation. The plan includes large-scale projects in roads, bridges, and energy systems, all designed to employ local labor and materials. These infrastructure investments will not only create immediate job opportunities but also stimulate further growth in sectors like agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing.
“Every road built, every bridge raised, is not just infrastructure—it’s a job created, a life changed,” Chakwera stated, reinforcing the notion that infrastructure is not merely a goal but a job creation engine.
Empowering SMEs and Youth: Catalysts for Innovation and Growth
Recognizing the critical role of SMEs and young entrepreneurs in driving economic development, the MCP manifesto outlines various strategies to support these sectors. The Chakwera administration intends to enhance the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) to provide low-interest loans, grants, and business incubation services to SMEs. Targeting youth, the government plans to establish multipurpose Youth Enterprise Hubs, integrate entrepreneurship education, and expand access to low-interest loans, setting the stage for 200,000 new youth-led businesses by 2030.
“We envision a Malawi where our youth are not just job seekers but creators of innovative ventures that address social needs and stimulate economic growth,” Chakwera affirmed.
Embracing the Digital Economy: Future-Proofing Through Technology
Building on the Malawi Digital Economy Strategy, the next MCP government plans to leverage technology to enhance job creation further. The pledge to connect 50,000 youth to online work platforms and provide digital skills training emphasizes the potential of the gig economy in combating unemployment.
Through the initiative branded “Malawi in the Cloud: Jobs Without Borders,” the government seeks to enable Malawians to engage not just locally but on a global stage, ensuring that no village is left behind in the digital economy.
Transforming the Ministry of Labour: Ensuring Effective Implementation
The success of the Jobs4Life agenda hinges on a well-equipped and agile Ministry of Labour. The MCP manifesto outlines plans to transform the Ministry into a dynamic entity capable of utilizing data-driven strategies to monitor job market trends and address skill gaps. “An adaptive Ministry of Labour will be at the forefront, ensuring that our job creation efforts are impactful and aligned with market demands,” Chakwera explained.
Conclusion
The MCP’s emphasis on systemic change through education, agricultural transformation, infrastructure development, and the nurturing of SMEs and youth entrepreneurship signals a commitment to creating a wealthier and more inclusive Malawi.With the 2025/2030 manifestos, the MCP not only envisions a robust economy but also lays the groundwork for a future where every Malawian can enjoy the dignity of work, contribute to the prosperity of their communities, and ultimately shape the trajectory of their nation.
